Category : Organic

Yes, it’s the better-tasting cherry (we love a little zing), but it’s also loaded with nutrients. These nutrients make it especially beneficial for the average person. Like apple cider vinegar, this may be something you want to work into your daily life.

Why? Well, because it can help with something we all hold dear to our hearts — SLEEP. That’s right: nutritionists connect this dark red beauty with better sleep. But that’s a little vague, right?

Vague, yes, but still true. In fact, science supports these babies and makes a case for their role in daily life.

Let’s take a look at some of the evidence.

Tart Cherries and Improved Sleep

They can help increase melatonin levels.

This body chemical is sometimes confused with melanin, which is a skin pigment. They’re not related, so there’s your FYI — don’t be that person. Instead, this molecule helps regulate sleep. How so? Well, your body produces an increased amount of this towards your bedtime. Production helps lull you down and eventually, knocks you out for the night.

So, if your eyes feel a little heavier as the sun goes down, now you know why. Melatonin helps control your circadian rhythm. No, that’s not a Fortnite dance the kids are doing; it’s the process that your body uses to rest. Think of it as your internal clock that usually follows the day cycle. The sun goes down and you’re ready to catch some z’s, the sun comes up and you’re ready to go.

At least, that’s how things are supposed to work. Yet, many of us still lay awake at the wee hours of the night. Then we drag our knuckles throughout the morning like a zombie looking for brains. Instead, we’re not looking for brains, we’re hoping for our pillows.

That’s where supplements come in. Many look to pills and potions to help them remedy bedtimes issues. For those who would like a more natural supplement, that’s where tart cherries come in. Medical studies have shown this cherry can help increase melatonin-production. In fact, one European Journal of Nutrition study showed measurable changes.

The double-blind study followed 20 volunteers over 7 days. Participants drank either tart cherry juice concentrate or a placebo. Researchers collected urine samples, testing for signs of the molecule.

And what did they find? Surprise, surprise: the cherry drinkers melatonin-content increased, while the placebo showed no change. What does the increase mean?

That brings us to our next point…

Cherry concentrate can help boost sleep efficiency.

Again, it sounds vague, but it’s still true. The European study didn’t just tally chemical-ranges, it accounted for sleep quality too. Volunteers answered sleep quality questionnaires and special sensors monitored actual sleep. Both methods showed the same thing — people slept better with daily doses of the concentrate. More accurately, they slept for longer hours in this case.

Researchers in Spain found a similar correlation in a 2013 study. Ages for this placebo-controlled study ranged from 20 to 85-years-old. Across all these ages, participants showed measured success. Those who drank tart cherry concentrate daily showed reported better sleep. Their activity patterns exemplified this: less sudden awakenings during sleep and more shut-eye.

The report also focused on sleep latency, which means how long it takes to fall asleep. Can you guess what happened? Yup, participants reported (and data showed) falling asleep quicker during their trial. Falling asleep easier and less instances of randomly waking up at 3 AM? Count us in.

This sour fruit’s potential effectiveness has many in the health world. That brings us to our next point.

It may able to help those with sleep disorders in the future.

If the tart cherry can benefit the average person’s sleep cycle, can it help those with sleep disorders? Signs are looking positive, but lack extensive research. Research might be far and few between, but there’s still hope.

The American Journal of Therapeutics recently published a pilot study focusing on patients with insomnia. Researchers hoped the fruit could one day be a natural alternative to sleep-inducing drugs. So, is that what they found?

Unfortunately, the correlation could not go that far. But, those who ingested a cherry concentrate daily (as opposed to the placebo) found improvement. Their monitored sleep time increased by a little over an hour and thirty minutes (83 minutes). We know every minute counts, so that’s pretty cool.

Interestingly enough, researchers also noted an increase in tryptophan-availability. This chemical helps your body produce the mood-enhancing neurotransmitter serotonin. This makes sense because serotonin is also associated with melatonin. Think about it like this: how many times has your night’s rest (or lack thereof) affected your mood the next day?

A Very Cherry Recipe

Enticed? Of course you are. Here’s a fun little way to get some cherry-love in your life. Use our Organic Tart Cherry Extract to create this refreshing recipe.

Tart Cherry Red Wine Spritzer

Wine and cherries are two of our favorite things, so naturally we love this recipe by Running to the Kitchen. Add seltzer in the mix and a rosemary for garnish, and you got yourself a holiday drink (or any time, really).

Apple cider vinegar is taking the health world by storm and for good reason! Out of all the different kinds of vinegars, it is the one that can boost some of the highest amounts of vitamins and minerals. That’s why Pure Planet makes not just one but TWO refreshing, yet nutritious blends.

Vinegar might not be the first thing that comes to mind when hear the word “refreshing,” but Pure Planet has been around long enough to know that when can make something healthy taste delicious it’s a lot easier to drink it every day.

Focusing on two of its most potent properties, the family-owned company created Apple Cider Probiotic and Alkalizer. Both blends contain whole-food ingredients that target specific functions and taste buds.

Conveniently, the two dry-mix beverages have long shelf lives and don’t require refrigeration.

Probiotic ǀ Lemon Flavor

You’re probably already hip to probiotics, but if you aren’t they are beneficial microorganisms that help aid digestion, boost immune function, increase nutrient absorption and keep harmful pathogens from overgrowth. Apple cider vinegar naturally contains probiotic enzymes, because it originates from fermented apples. Fermentation breaks down nutrients and makes them more easily digestible.

Pure Planet boosts those digestion benefits by including a well-researched probiotic strain, bacillus coagulans, plus ginger and turmeric into its blend for extra gut support. Together, the Probiotic formula helps promote digestive health with a pleasant lemon for flavor.

Alkalizer ǀ Cherry Flavor

Here’s a quick lowdown on alkalinity: it’s the acidic measurement for foods, drinks and the body, referred to as the pH level. Ranging from 1 (Acidic) – 10 (Alkaline), a smaller pH number is said to be more prone to illness and disease with neutral in-between. Nutritionists believe a healthy body should be a bit more Alkaline (7sih).

Drinking Pure Planet’s Alkalizer can be another way to offset acidity and provide the body with pH balance. This mix is blended with powerhouse superfoods beets and cherries to support healthy blood circulation and immune function. Plus, it tastes like cherry fruit punch without the sugar and excessive calories.

Pure and True Since ‘92

Pure Planet’s Apple Cider Vinegar is non-GMO, USDA certified Organic and sustainably-farmed. Learn more about the products and the local Long Beach California company at pureplanet.com.

Most of us have been raised on wheat bread. It has often been touted as the “healthier” whole grain compared to other types. Thinking back, we can all probably remember our parents making us sandwiches and grilled cheeses with bread from this grain. Let’s also not forget those comforting morning cereals that are also loaded with this stuff.

But is the grain really as good as it is suggested to be? And are there other whole grains that can work as a wheat alternative?

The Truth About Wheat

Are you comfortable? Because you’re in for quite the story. You see, while you might grab a bag of bread in the store or add it to your online cart without question, there’s actually a huge debate happening between nutritionists and experts.

To begin, wheat comes in many different varieties, much like our favorite ice creams. With that being said, the grain we know and love (or despise) has not always been the same throughout the years. In fact, it is quite different than it used to be.

Que the conspiracy music! Okay, maybe we’re drumming this up a bit, but that’s only because this is important.

The processes used to create the grain nowadays are different from, let’s say, the 1950s. Obviously. But that actually yields a totally different, more refined wheat — one that varies nutritionally from older grains.

That’s not all bad. Refined wheat can be created cheaply and at a greater quantity, which means it’s easy attainable. We don’t have to pay an arm and a leg for it either.

However, the older grains, like Emmer, Enkorn and Kamut, are all more nutritious than the grain used today. Healthline reports that the most popular wheat grown today is high-yield dwarf wheat.

And that makes us a little sad. Why? Because this type of grain is a weird hybrid. It was developed using crude genetic manipulation and cross-breeding.

Nutrition Differences

Just how nutritious is modern wheat compared to older grains? One study published in the Journal of Trace Elements in Medicine and Biology suggests that grain produced from 1968-2005 is 19-28% lower in concentrations of minerals, such as zinc, copper, iron and magnesium. Coincidentally, that’s around the time modern grains were being crafted. Another study suggests older grains also contained more Selenium. These minerals and nutrients are essential to total body function.

Some nutritionists also point out that because the genetic compositions are different, modern grains can do much more damage to those with Celiac disease. Celiac disease is a harsh form of gluten intolerance that causes many people to adhere to a strict, non-gluten diet.

Additionally, one study found that older grains caused less adverse reactions than modern strains, that may be due to specific gluten proteins.

While gluten-intolerance is pretty widely known these days, not many people know that gluten is more than just one protein — it’s actually several. One of these proteins, Gila-α9, seems to be the biggest trouble-maker, potentially wrecking havoc on the body.

And guess what modern wheat is filled with? Yup, Gila-α9!

Because of this protein, it is theorized that modern grains have contributed to the growing cases of Celiac disease and gluten intolerances among the general population. More study is needed, but it’s definitely an interesting perspective.

Barley: The Wheat Alternative

If you want to give wheat a break, there are a few options. You can still find older grains thanks to the wonders of the Internet and in some specialty health stores. But we’d like to spotlight one of our favorites.

We’re talking about barley!

Barley happens be to an older cereal grain and one of the most cultivated. But what makes it different from wheat?

We love barley, which is why we use it for our Organic Just Barley juice blend. Specifically, we use the leaf (not the grain), grown in pristine, mineral spring water. But don’t worry, the leaf still holds chlorophyll, B-Vitamins and minerals.

This green juice can help support energy, cholesterol and blood sugar levels.

Ready To Make the Switch?

Like what you’re hearing? Try using switch out wheat for barley. Plus, try our Organic Just Barely Juice, which can be integrated into any daily health regimen.

If you’ve ever perused the Pure Planet website or held our products in your hand, you might have noticed something that strikes you as something odd.

Is it that our fruits and veggies don’t have GMOs? Well… yes, we don’t believe in that icky stuff, but that’s not what we’re talking about.

The oddity that may perplex those who are proponents of fresh veggies and fruits is the fact that most of our superfoods come in the form of dry powder and capsules and tablets made with powder.

For some, this might seem like a strange way of eating your daily produce from powders and other forms. Conscious eaters are just like us and do everything they can to find out how their food originated and how it arrived in their hands. Which is why we strive to be transparent about our manufacturing and organic practices.

So, just how do we turn your favorites into powders and other forms? And is anything lost or gained during the process?

Good questions!

Let’s learn about that and more.

How Do We Dry?

Our methods are inspired by Mother Nature, herself. Most specifically, they are inspired by the mighty power of the ocean.

You see when the water crashes against the rocky edges of beautiful coasts, the tips of the waves evaporate into fine traces of salt and minerals, naturally.

We use a variety of drying methods that mimic this process, to create our blends. Here are just a few:

Freeze

Spray

Oven Air

Dehydration

Vacuum

But what do these methods actually accomplish?

Another good question!

Mostly, these methods help remove water and moisture content from vegetables and fruits. The amount changes depending on the method. For example, dehydration removes about 90 t0 95% of moisture content and freeze drying removes 98-99.

But how is the method decided? And what fruits and veggies get which method?

Well, that falls on our trusted farm-partnerships who are highly experienced in agriculture and nutrition.

However, Pure Planet decides what superfoods to blend, based on their phytochemical properties and flavors. For example, our Organic Power Beets combines the power of beets, turmeric, and tart cherry to help support healthy recovery from exercises or a busy day!

Let’s be real. Nutrition is great, but at the end of the day, taste matters too.

That’s why our team works hard to identify which foods should go together to best benefit the body and tastebuds! Take for example our Choco-Mint Spirulina. Enjoy the nutritional benefits of spirulina, and the yummy taste of cacao and mint.

Sorry, we got on a flavor tangent! Back to ingredient drying details…

Are Any Nutrients Lost?

When drying our foods, you might wonder if any nutrients are lost.

While some research suggests that vitamins can be lost during this process, they are oftentimes minimal, according to the Alice! Health Promotion from Columbia University.

But guess what? There are also gains!

Freeze-dried fruits and veggies can be bountiful with extra nutrients, such as fiber, beta-carotene and potassium.

Plus, with water and other juices stripped from the produce, the calories and rich nutrients are straight from the food itself.

But there are more benefits too, other than optimal nutrition for your body!

What Are Other Benefits?

Packaging blends can be economically-easier for you. While fresh produce can rot and go bad just days after buying, our powdered blends can stay in your pantry for way longer.

Plus, the blends are convenient. Just pack a container in your bag for on-the-go. Can you imagine randomly pulling out a coconut from your bag and popping in a straw during a work meeting?

That would be a power move, but no, that’s not convenient at all! But you can definitely mix, stir or shake up some of our Coconut Water blend anywhere!

Have More Questions?

Transparency is key in keeping us pure and true since ’92. Drop us any questions you have in the comments below or post on our Facebook.

It’s hard to believe we’ve already made it through half of 2018. From the release of our new Apple Cider Vinegars to our exciting giveaways on Facebook, we’ve had an exciting six months!

Even after 25+ years of serving happy customers, we’re still so delighted to meet new friends of Pure Planet.

If you have yet to experience us, let us share how we stand by our motto, “Pure and True, Since ’92.”

While many health-conscious folks are hip to the importance of the USDA Organic seal that stamps our products and other brand’s as well, does everyone know what it actually means?

If you’ve ever wondered what a company must do to get their product(s) certified, you’ve come to the right place.

Let’s chat “USDA Organic” and the other ways we ensure that our superfoods-fans get the finest of quality products.

Organic Certification

When you see the word “organic,” what do you think?

Most people think of “natural” when they see “organic.” That’s a correct assumption, but those two words cannot be tied together when it comes to certification laws.

Why not?

When it comes to putting the word “natural” on food-products, it is free and clear of any standards to do so. Bottom line:”natural” is not monitored under any close eye of authority.

“Organic” on the other hand is different.

You see, there are companies (like us!) who produce food that is free of synthetic additives, dyes, and harmful chemicals.

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) wanted to help separate these pure foods from falsely-advertised foods, making it easier for consumers to identify. So, they created the “Organic” certification.

To be certified, products should be 95% or more free of harmful additives without industrial solvents, irradiation or genetic engineering.

A system plan: The certification-seeker will outline just how they plan to comply with regulation, making special note of tillage, crop rotations, harvest, storage and other applicable requirements.

Plan implementation and review: The plan will be reviewed for completed documentation. Follow-up questions may be asked based on deficiencies or anticipated problems.

Facility Inspection: The seeker will have their facilities inspected and a comprehensive report detailing all findings will be submitted. Inspection scope will vary depending on operation. This can include soil conditions, equipment, production and even receiving and processing.

Inspection Report Review: The inspector report and system plan will be joined together as a final packet of information on the company. Compliance will be studied based on requirements such as, observation of practices, assessments of contamination and potential hazards.

Final Decision: If all steps are passed, the agency will issue a certificate listing the products that can be sold as organic. The facility will need to update its plan and practices, and there will be an annual inspection to keep the listing.

As you can see, this process is extensive, but well worth it.

Due to the large amount of work that needs to be done for every single product, entities like Oregon Tilth keep this process streamlined.

Oregon Tilth

What is Oregon Tilth?

For four decades, Tilth has been working to fulfill their mission: make food and agriculture “biologically sound and socially equitable.” They advocate for positive change, not just for safer consumption but also for the protection of Mother Nature.

And those are causes we can get behind!

Tilth is just one certifying body that helps ensure all requirements for the “Organic” seal are met. They are well-respected for offering certifications both nationally and internationally. From working with farmers to the Natural Resources Conservation Service, Tilth bridges together producers, companies and consumers.

We’re proud to work with them for our own certifications as we share a common goal: helping the world be more healthy through food and education.

Good Manufacturing Practice Certification

In a similar vein, we want to make sure our production is in tip-top shape. That’s why we worked hard on getting a Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) certification.

Where would any company be without GMP certification?

This certificate is awarded to a facility that follows satisfactory compliance in meeting quality standards. It’s actually a little similar to “Organic” certification.

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) set forth GMP guidelines to ensure safety for consumers.

Some of these regulations include:

handling of raw, quality materials

establishing robust operating procedures

protecting quality and investigating deviations

maintaining clean safe lab facilities

Although GMP standards are just a baseline for any company, we strive to go above and beyond.

That’s why we developed full-scale Research and Development and Quality Assurance teams, who are always ensuring optimal production of every ingredient, like our carefully blended spirulina.

Staying Pure and True

As we head into the next half of 2018, we plan to continue to make top-quality products that can fit into any health regimen.

Keep a lookout for new products. We can’t wait for you to see what more we have in store!